Mini Parliament of Sikhs

n The SGPC manages most gurdwaras in Punjab, Haryana, HP and Chandigarh

n With an annual budget of Rs 580 crore, its main tasks are maintenance of gurdwaras, running educational institutions and propagating religion

n For the SGPC poll, there are 120 constituencies; 110 in Punjab, eight in Haryana and one each in HP and Chandigarh

n 50 are double-member constituencies, reserved either for women or SC candidates

n In the existing SGPC House, there are 30 women members from double-member seats and three from single-member seats (33 in all)

n The double-member constituency system was first implemented in 1996

n The SGPC elections were first conducted on June 18, 1926, after the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925, came into effect

n The House comprises 170 members, of which 100 come from 50 double-member constituencies

n There are 15 nominated members as well. Six slots are for five high priests and the head granthi of the Golden Temple, taking the total number of members to 191

READ MORE :http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110730/punjab.htm#12

Religious groups come to blows at Golden Temple

Followers of Sant Surinder Singh Kahna Dhesian and Damdami Taksal Teeji Dhir (Ajnala) today virtually came to blows and swords were brandished in the ‘parikarma’ of the Golden Temple Complex after the former came out of the meeting of the Sikh high priests.

Sant Surinder Singh was summoned by the Akal Takht for allegedly violating the Sikh code of conduct. It was alleged that while ‘kirtan’ was being performed at Sant Surinder Singh’s Dera at Kahna Dhesian village, some of the devotees started dancing, which was against the Sikh tenets.

According to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, Sant admitted the mistake and apologised for it. The Sikh high priests pronounced “tankhah” (punishment for religious misconduct) of performing the “path” of Japji Sahib 51 times for Sant Surinder Singh.

However, when Sant and his followers came out of the meeting from the Akal Takht Secretariat and proceeded towards the Golden Temple to pay obeisance, one of them raised the “jaikara”, Jo Bole So Nihal, which infuriated Taksal activists. The two sides entered into an altercation and virtually came to blows. A few people, allegedly owing allegiance to the Taksal, also brandished swords in the air. Taksal chief Amreek Singh, however, said none of his followers took out the sword and they were simply asking the Dera followers to appear before the Akal Takht Jahedar again.

Meanwhile, the Sikh high priests discussed the report submitted by a panel formed by the SGPC to look into the controversy surrounding errors in the printing of “birs” of Guru Granth Sahib.

However, NRI Surinder Singh Dhesi, who got these “birs” published, failed to appear before the Sikh high priests on account of his daughter’s marriage. The Akal Takht Jathedar said Dhesi will be summoned in their next meeting, only after which the picture will become clear.

src.http://www.tribuneindia.com/2011/20110723/punjab.htm#3

DEVOTEES AT MERCY OF GOD

Even as the Golden Temple is thronged by thousands of devotees everyday, the holiest Sikh shrine managed by the SGPC, having an annual budget of Rs 580 crore, doesn't have a proper medical care facility to fall back on in case of any untoward incident.

Though the Golden Temple Complex has two dispensaries — one being run by the SGPC and the other by the Fortis Group, they are only equipped to deal with minor cases of injury or ailment among the devotees from time to time. While the Fortis dispensary has a doctor available between 10 am and 4 pm, the SGPC dispensary is being run by a pharmacist.

Moreover, the dispensaries are located in the middle of the "sarais" (inns) on the other side of the complex and not around the main entrance of the shrine. The SGPC hasn't even put up a board to pinpoint its dispensary for the devotees. However, the Fortis authorities have placed a small board atop its dispensary door. Some SGPC officials feel that a few rooms at any of the five "sarais" (inns) in the Golden Temple Complex may be spared for providing better medical facilities.

They also opined that one or two rooms should be allocated in the 'parikarma' of the Golden Temple for meeting any medical urgency. In summers, there are cases of devotees fainting almost daily and to provide them immediate relief there should be first-aid facility in the 'parikarma', besides a couple of stretchers and wheelchairs to shift them to proper medical care, they said. He nearest proper medical care facility is the SGPC-run Guru Ram Das Hospital which may be around 2 km from the shrine but the route is marred by narrow lanes, congested markets and traffic chaos.

On the other hand, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar said they will soon facilitate four-five beds for the purpose and also assign permanent duty to a doctor from Guru Ram Das Hospital at the Golden Temple. He said they will also make sure that stretchers are available in the 'parikarma'. He said they have already made arrangements like putting up "shamiana" and water-sprinkling fans for the devotees in view of harsh summer.

Deputy Commissioner KS Pannu said they have deployed a mobile medical van at the shrine and they have 20 such vans in the holy city under the newly launched 108 ambulance service scheme. He admitted that it would have been better to have a proper medical facility near the Golden Temple, but said it was not possible now due to space constraints. He said they have made a provision for first aid and trauma facility in the under-construction Golden Temple Entrance Plaza.